More From the Big Bag o' Pins

The public has grown tired of Taylor Swift. But they still love the Big Bag o' Pins! And you'll see why.

First up - a pin celebrating the AMC Pacer. That might be a red heart, or a baboon's behind. You be the judge. 

Here is a 1975 hatchback coupe - I have to confess that I kind of like the way it looks - it has style! Wikipedia says Reviews upon its introduction used descriptions like "futuristic, bold, and unique." The Pacer featured an aerodynamic "jellybean" styling, numerous innovations such as different door lengths, and was noted "as a space-efficient car, seemingly from the future.". The Pacer stood out at a time when "Detroit was still rolling out boat-sized gas guzzlers."

I have never wanted to brag that I graduated from Fink University, but it's time you knew the truth. As you can see, I graduated with honors. Some people have spread the vicious rumor that these pins were given out with packs of bubble gum by the Leaf company, but I won't even dignify such ugliness.

I love the bold graphic design of this pinback button for Schoenling Beer. It has a very "Captain America" vibe for reasons unknown to me. The Schoenling Brewing Company opened its doors in 1934 in Cincinnati – a city that thrived on local beer and the industry that built this city. It was family-owned, and it quickly grew as folks around town found a staple spot for it as ‘their beer’ in a city with several competing local brands.

In the ’70s and ’80s the story of regional breweries like Schoenling quickly became that of consolidations and mergers. Cincinnati tried its hardest to remain insulated from this. The city’s breweries put up a fight, but one by one they were forced into submission until finally with their merger with Hudepohl in December of 1986 – Schoenling was the last remaining Cincinnati brewery.

I particularly like this next pin, celebrating 1959's SAUERKRAUT DAYS in Henderson, Minnesota. How about a bratwurst with a cold Schoenling Beer? Sausages and sauerkraut were certainly a staple when I would visit my grandparents in Minnesota, and I always liked it when we had that for dinner. With little red potatoes (with plenty of butter)! And a bowl of radishes, which they liked to dunk in little bowls of salt. I've seen other appealing Sauerkraut Days pinback buttons, but this is the only one I have.

A LATE ADDITION! I just bought this 1967 Sauerkraut Days pin - I like the nod to the kind of psychedelic lettering you might find on a Fillmore Auditorium rock poster!

Have you ever heard of a place called "Disneyland"? They have this koo-koo crazy ride called "Star Tours". A tour of the stars? Heavens to Betsy! The pin has a 1986 copyright, though I assume it was sold for years. Remember how excited the public was to be able to fly in a spaceship through part of the Star Wars galaxy?

The pin glows in the dark, by the way.

I remember seeing billboards with Little Miss Sunbeam when I was a kid, and it always made me want bread and butter so much. Squishy white bread! In 1942, illustrator Ellen Barbara Segner was commissioned by the Quality Bakers of America to create a marketing symbol of a young child. Over six months she submitted hundreds of sketches before coming across the girl who would become the first Miss Sunbeam in Southern Indiana. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's pinback buttons.